Ag–CeO₂/SBA-15 composite prepared from Pluronic P123@SBA-15 hybrid as catalyst for room-temperature reduction of 4-nitrophenol

The catalytic activity of the SBA-15-supported silver and/or ceria catalysts in the 4‑nitrophenol reduction under mild conditions is described. The catalysts are prepared by wetness impregnation of Pluronic P123@SBA-15 hybrid applied to stabilize small Ag and CeO₂ particles. The bare SBA-15 and the catalysts on the basis thereof are characterized by N₂ sorption, XRD, SAXS, TEM, UV–vis DRS, and H₂-TPR. The catalysts possess high surface area (594−754 m²/g) and narrow pore size distributions (5.5–7.8 nm). Silver and ceria particles are stabilized in a highly dispersed state (predominant sizes below 5 nm) in the ordered SBA-15 structure. The Ag–CeO₂/SBA-15 catalyst demonstrates the presence of the developed Ag–CeO₂ interface that enhances the catalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol reduction to 4‑aminophenol (k = 0.016 s⁻¹) at room temperature and ambient pressure due to the cooperation of silver and ceria active sites.